An eight-game unbeaten streak with 22 goals scored and five straight wins have propelled No. 25 Indiana men’s soccer to within touching distance of a Big Ten regular season title.
A month ago, it seemed inconceivable. Now, it’s certainly possible.
Defending their regular season title is on the minds of head coach Todd Yeagley and his squad, but his mentality heading into Tuesday’s match is strictly on winning.
“They understand the title is very much in grasp,” Yeagley said in a press conference Monday. “We just need a little bit of help. Got to take care of business first. Otherwise, it’s (a) non-talking point.”
Indiana sits on top of the Big Ten standings, one point above No. 1 Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes still have two games to play, while the Hoosiers only have Northwestern left in their Big Ten regular season.
A draw does not mathematically eliminate Indiana from contention, but a win is certainly the goal.
“That’s the only thing we can do, is get three points,” Yeagley said. “Then we do talk about implications of what that would mean.”
Less than a year removed from transferring to Indiana from Northwestern, graduate forward Justin Weiss is set to face his former squad for the first time. He enters the match with his best form this year, as he has scored four goals in his last games and earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week last Tuesday.
Yeagley understands the emotions Weiss will have wrapped up in the game, but he wants his forward’s focus aligned with the team.
“I want his focus to be on just getting three points to help us win,” Yeagley said. “We know that there’ll be a lot of emotion for him in that game, and we’re trying to ease that back a little bit.”
Only four days removed from its 2-1 victory over No. 15 UCLA, Indiana will have to rest up quickly. However, Yeagley noted his squad played six games in 18 days, so this turnaround is nothing the Hoosiers haven’t already seen.
But even if Indiana starts to feel fatigue, Yeagley believes his squad will be motivated simply by the nature of the game.
“I think it would be harder if we knew we couldn’t go anywhere,” Yeagley said. “I think that’s going to help them push any of that fatigue, if there is some in there.”
Meet the Wildcats
Northwestern began its Big Ten season with four straight defeats, but it quickly bounced back with wins against Rutgers and then-No. 18 Michigan and a draw to Wisconsin. Given the Wildcats sit in 10th in the Big Ten standings, and only the top seven teams make the Big Ten Tournament, Northwestern will have just as much to play for.
The Wildcats present a balanced attack with twelve different goal scorers. Sophomore forward Italo Addimandi, redshirt senior forward Akinjide Awujo and sophomore midfielder Tyler Glassberg each have a team-high of two.
Northwestern also presents a stout defense, conceding no more than two goals all year and producing six shutouts. Sophomore defender Bryant Mayer has also contributed to the attack, leading the team with six assists.
“I think they’re playing well, no doubt, this time of the year,” Yeagley said. “This is a good Northwestern team.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium with coverage on the Big Ten Network.
Follow reporters Matt Press (@MattPress23) and Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
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